REDLANDS Tigers have opened their two-day competition campaign with a strong victory over Sunshine Coast, overcoming the hosts by 38 runs in the opening round.
Batting first, Redlands posted 243 from its 50 overs, with captain Liam Smith leading from the front with a composed 56 from 93 balls.
Smith was well supported by Carter Pearson, who produced a game-changing innings with the top score of 88 from just 77 balls, including four fours and four sixes.
Pearson’s innings was exactly what the side needed towards the back end of the game and set up a large total to defend.
Leigh Drennan also made an important contribution with 41 from 43 balls, while new recruit Mac Wright made a positive start to his Redlands career, scoring 31 from 42 balls on debut.
The match also saw Reuben Burger make his first appearance for the club in First Grade, with the wicketkeeper playing an important role behind the stumps.
Burger has been a fantastic addition to the club after making the move from Wynnum Manly in the off-season.
Redlands then backed up its batting effort with a disciplined bowling performance, dismissing Sunshine Coast for 205 in 47.4 overs.
Captain Smith was again at the centre of the action, taking four wickets for 55 runs from 9.2 overs, while James Pullar claimed three wickets for 35 runs from his 10 overs.
Lachlan McClure also impressed with two wickets from 8.4 overs, conceding just 30 runs, while Thomas Biggs and Josh Spies picked up a wicket apiece.
For Smith, the introduction of Wright and Burger was an important part of the opening-round victory and a positive sign for the season ahead.
“Both Mac and Reuben fitted into the group really well and contributed straight away,” Smith said.
“It’s always good to see new players come into the club and have an impact, and both showed what they can bring.
“To get the win in the first round is exactly what we wanted.
“There are obviously things we can improve on, but to put 243 on the board and then bowl them out for 205 was a really solid way to start our two-day campaign.”
Throughout the weekend there were some amazing individual results for our other grades with Chase Rodgers, Decklin Smith and Aayan Khan all scoring centuries to start their season off in style.
Redlands was able to walk away with three wins, one draw and two losses from the six games played over the weekend.
The club now turns its attention to Sandgate Redcliffe and Western Suburbs for its next fixtures, with our First Grade side playing its first home game of the season.
